United News of Bangladesh

Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) – Bangladesh’s first nuclear power plant – is expected to begin supplying electricity to the national grid by the end of August this year, Science and Technology Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam told Parliament on Sunday. Replying to a starred question from ruling party lawmaker Md Mustafizur Rahman Babul (Jamalpur-3), he said the plant has entered the commissioning and startup phase – the final and most critical stage before commercial power generation begins. Describing the project as a landmark achievement in the country's energy sector, the minister said the RNPP is Bangladesh’s first nuclear power facility and has now reached the concluding phase following years of planning, construction and preparatory work. “The commissioning and startup phase is the final, most complex and critical stage before electricity generation begins,” he said. Faqir Mahbub Anam informed the House that fuel loading activities under Stage-B (Fuel Loading and Physical Startup) of Unit-1 began on April 28, 2026. He said nuclear fuel is currently being installed in the reactor, while boric acid addition, reactor and primary circuit testing, safety verification, sub-criticality tests and other commissioning activities are underway. The next phase will involve bringing the reactor to a critical state, conducting integrated tests of the control and protection systems and operating the reactor at low power levels as part of the startup process, the minister added. According to the project schedule, the reactor’s power output will be increased gradually. Initially, it will operate at around 10-12 percent capacity and later at 35-40 percent capacity to facilitate various technical tests and evaluations. “The reactor power will be raised in phases. Once all required tests and commissioning activities are successfully completed, the generator is expected to be synchronised with the national grid approximately 114 days after the commencement of fuel loading,” the minister said. Expressing optimism about the project’s progress, he said, “According to the contractor’s schedule, we hope that by the end of August 2026 the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant will be able to supply around 300 megawatts of electricity to the national grid for the first time.” The 2,400-megawatt Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, being built at Ishwardi in Pabna with Russian assistance, is expected to play a transformative role in strengthening Bangladesh’s long-term energy security and diversifying its power generation mix.

Four more children have died showing symptoms consistent with measles in the 24 hours until 8:00am on Sunday, raising Bangladesh’s combined tally of confirmed and suspected measles-related deaths to 652. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has classified the latest deaths as suspected measles fatalities. With the latest update, the number of suspected measles deaths has risen to 560, while the number of laboratory-confirmed measles deaths remains unchanged at 92. A total of 1,052 new suspected measles cases were reported during the 24-hour period, taking the cumulative number of suspected cases nationwide to 85, 951 Meanwhile, 75 new confirmed measles cases were recorded, bringing the total number of laboratory-confirmed infections to 10,323. Since March 15, a total of 70,579 patients with suspected measles have been hospitalised across the country, of whom 66, 841 have recovered, according to DGHS data.

Post and Telecommunication, ICT Division and Ministry of Science and Technology on Sunday told Parliament that the government has continued expanding financial and institutional support for young scientists, researchers and innovation-driven activities across the country. Responding to a question of Selina Sultana (Women Seat-35), the minister said during the 2025-26 fiscal year, a total of 4,282 researchers received grants amounting to Tk 25.45 crore under the National Science and Technology (NST) Fellowship programme. The Ministry of Science and Technology has been providing NST fellowships to students and researchers pursuing MS, MPhil, PhD and postdoctoral studies in science and technology-related disciplines at universities, he said. The minister said the ministry is also encouraging science-based higher education and research through grants for Research and Development (R&D) projects aimed at developing new technologies and improving the quality of scientific research. In the current fiscal year, 358 scientists and researchers received Tk 3.97 crore in grants under the R&D programme, he added. The ministry has also provided Tk 30 lakh in grants to 30 science-based organisations and institutions during FY2025-26 to support scientific activities, development programmes, journal publications and the organisation of seminars, symposiums, workshops and exhibitions. Special research grants are being provided to teachers, researchers and young scientists from public and private universities, as well as researchers from various public and private organisations, to promote scientific research and technological innovation, he said. He said the government has undertaken a range of initiatives to encourage research and innovation among young scientists and facilitate the development and commercialisation of their projects. These include financial and technical support for innovative research through universities, research institutions and science-based organisations, as well as the organisation of science fairs, innovation exhibitions, seminars, workshops and training programmes. The minister said the National Institute of Biotechnology, under the Ministry of Science and Technology, is providing training, research facilities and access to laboratories for students, researchers and young scientists. He added that the institute regularly offers research training, internships, thesis support and access to modern biotechnology laboratories for undergraduate and postgraduate students, contributing significantly to the development of skilled researchers in the country. Highlighting support for research institutions, the minister said the Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research approved 143 projects with allocations of Tk 6.62 crore in FY2024-25, while 94 projects received allocations amounting to Tk 6.19 crore in FY2025-26. He also informed the House that the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission awarded 15 special research grant projects to its scientists during FY2025-26 with a total budget allocation of Tk 80.75 lakh. Once implemented, these projects are expected to make significant contributions to agriculture, food production, healthcare, nuclear medicine, public health, and science and technology sectors, he said.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Sunday told Parliament that former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed, who was arrested recently in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in connection with corruption cases, will be brought back to Bangladesh soon. “An official extradition request will be sent to the UAE authorities through diplomatic channels by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Central Bureau (NCB) of Bangladesh Police will coordinate with Abu Dhabi to bring him back to Bangladesh very soon,” he said. Delivering a statement under the Rule 300 in the House, the Home Minister said the government of Bangladesh was informed through an email sent on June 12, 2026 by the Director General of the Federal Criminal Police of Abu Dhabi under the UAE Ministry of Interior that Benazir Ahmed, an accused in corruption cases, had been arrested by the UAE police. Citing that the former police official is currently accused in various cases filed under the Penal Code, the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Bangladesh Passport Order, he said the necessary case documents, arrest warrants and investigation-related papers required for extradition are ready, while the Ministry of Home Affairs has prepared and approved the extradition proposal, to bring him back to Bangladesh very soon. Under the law, a formal extradition request must be sent through diplomatic channels within 30 days from the date of arrest, he said. “This is a historic success for Bangladesh Police. Through this, we will be able to come out of the culture of impunity, InshaAllah,” said Salahuddin. He said the development would also reassure the nation that no one is above the law, no matter how powerful the offender may be. “It would help establish the rule of law in the country and remain a milestone in Bangladesh's history,” he added. Earlier, Bangladesh Police requested the Interpol to issue a Red Notice against Benazir Ahmed and then Interpol requested the UAE Ministry of Interior to arrest him, said the minister.  

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj on Sunday said the government has introduced a new decentralised system for teacher transfers to make the process transparent, accountable and free from corruption. The teacher transfer process had long been known as a major area of syndicate control and corruption, which stood as a significant obstacle to improving the quality of education, he said while addressing the Validation Workshop on the Bangladesh Education Sector Analysis (ESA) 2026, organised by GPE and UNICEF at a hotel in the capital. Bobby Hajjaj said that under the directive of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and the initiative of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, the teacher transfer process has been decentralised and brought to the local level. Under the new policy, separate committees are being formed at the upazila, district, divisional and city corporation levels to review transfer applications at regular intervals, he said. At the upazila level, a four-member committee headed by the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) will scrutinise applications, while the Upazila Primary Education Officer will issue transfer orders based on the committee’s recommendations, he added. Besides, similar five- or six-member committees will operate at the district, divisional and city corporation levels to examine transfer applications and issue transfer orders, he said. Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr A N M Ehsanul Hoque Milon attended the programme as the chief guest. Officials from the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, relevant departments and UNICEF were also present at the event.

Three people suffered burn injuries from electrocution while hanging a signboard of a madrasah in the Rupnagar area of the capital on Sunday. The injured were identified as Salman, 26, a teacher of Ashraful Uloom Madrasah, and its students Md Maruf, 12, and Khairul Islam, 14. Witnesses said the trio came in contact with a live electric wire while hanging a signboard of the madrasah in the morning, leaving them injured. The injured were taken to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, said Dr Shawon Bin Rahman, a resident medical officer of the institute. Among them, Maruf received burns on 18 percent of his body, while Salman and Khairul 2 percent and 3 percent, respectively.  

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday appreciated young innovator Sajjadul Islam of Moulvibazar after learning about a range of eco-friendly products developed by him. During a meeting at the Secretariat, he also encouraged the innovator to continue his efforts to promote sustainable innovation using local raw materials, according to a release issued by the Prime Minister’s Press Wing. Sajjadul – a student – briefed the Prime Minister on his inventions, including biodegradable polythene made from rotten and discarded vegetables, and corrugated sheets, tiles and boards produced from banana fibre.

Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed has been arrested in Dubai by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) police in connection with a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) back in Bangladesh. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed disclosed the development in Parliament on Sunday in a statement delivered under rule 300 of the Rules of Procedure. He said the UAE authorities informed the Bangladesh government of the arrest on June 12. “We will bring him back to Bangladesh soon," the minister said, describing it as a great success of Bangladesh Police. In April 2025, the Interpol issued a red notice against the former police chief. The development came following a request filed by the National Central Bureau (NCB), a unit of the Police Headquarters. Benazir Ahmed served as the IGP from April 2020 to September 2022, after completing his tenure as the director general of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) from 2015 to 2020. He fled the country on May 4, 2024 alongside his wife and three daughters amid investigation by the ACC into accumulation of illegal wealth.

The government has taken a decision to organise a three-day nationwide programmes in all 64 districts and 74 remote upazilas across the country from June 18 to 20, marking the Nazrul Year, said Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury. “Marking the 127th birth anniversary of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs organised a three-day programme in Trishal, Mymensingh on May 23 where Prime Minister Tarique Rahman declared the May 25 this year to May 25 next year as “Nazrul Year”, he said while speaking at a press conference on the observance of Nazrul Year held at Secretariat on Sunday. Highlighting extensive preparations for the observance, the minister said a national committee has been formed while a Nazrul Year logo, posters and calendar have been prepared. A commemorative postage stamp will also be released in this regard, he said. Nitai Roy said the Ministry of Cultural Affairs will organise three-day programmes across the country from June 18 to 20 to mark the inauguration of Nazrul Year. Funds have been allocated from the ministry’s current fiscal year budget for programmes in all 64 districts and 74 remote or special upazilas. The minister said plans are in place to organise year-long events as part of the observance.  “The celebration of Nazrul Year will not be limited to cultural programmes alone. The Ministry of Cultural Affairs will take initiatives to encourage research on Nazrul’s literary works, music and other contributions,” he said. Efforts are also being undertaken through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to promote Nazrul’s works internationally, he said.

A teenage girl has allegedly been gang-raped at Kalabagan in Ashuganj upazila of Brahmanbaria district. Quoting family members, police said the girl’s mother sent her to buy bread from the nearby shop around 8:00pm on June 10. When she was heading towards the shop, three young men, including Zakaria and Anik, took her to the 4th floor of a nearby building and violated her there. They also threatened to kill her family members if she would disclose the matter to anyone. Although the girl did not disclose the matter initially, she narrated the incident to her mother two days later after she fell ill. Later, the victim was taken to Brahmanbaria General Hospital. Ratan Kumar Dhali, superintendent of the hospital, said the allegation of rape can be confirmed once the results of her medical examination are received. Officer-in-Charge of Ashuganj Police Station Shafiqul Alam Chowdhury said no written complaint was lodged in this regard and action will be taken after getting complaint.